BBC iPlayer will offer coverage of both the Manchester City v Brighton FA Cup semi-final (April 6) and the final (May 18) in the Ultra HD format.
Viewers will be able to watch by pressing the Red Button or accessing the iPlayer app directly on compatible
The latest phase of the BBC Ultra HD trial comes as it was revealed Dynasties, one of the most popular programmes on BBC iPlayer last year, was streamed around 8 million times with almost 18% of these requests (1.4 million) in Ultra HD
Phil Layton, Head of Broadcast & Connected Systems, BBC R&D, said: “As Ultra HD becomes increasingly popular in the future, the BBC is making sure nobody is left behind. Our research has already provided a highly effective way for free-to-air broadcasters to put HDR into their Ultra HD programmes, and we’re working on a range of projects to make Ultra HD even better for audiences and the industry.”
Audiences will need an Internet connection of at least 40Mbit per second for full 3840 pixel Ultra HD or 20Mbit per second for 2560 pixel Ultra HD. Wi-Fi performance can vary greatly, so a wired Internet connection to the TV may provide a more consistent Ultra HD experience. Footage will be played at 50 frames per second.
Previously, Ultra HD trials have been a separate, experimental production process. But for the FA Cup, the BBC’s Ultra HD coverage will be the main production from which the HD and SD options will be derived. Working closely with Arena Television, this will help establish the most efficient way of producing programmes in multiple formats.
